Fireplace screen



Jan. 5, 1943. v. RCRAMER 2,307,570 "FIREPLACE SCREEN Filled oct. 4, 1940ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1943 iliii' STATES QTENT OFFICE FIREPLACESCREEN Vernon R. Cramer, Lomita, Calif. 'Application October 4, 19110,Serial No. 359,670

(C1. 16o-19s) 9 Claims.

My invention relates to replace screens, and among the objects of myinvention are:

First, to provide a fireplace screen which may be adjustedvertically tocover only the lower part of the fireplace opening, to cover only theupper part, to cover any intermediate part, or to cover the entirefireplace opening;

Second, to provide a fireplace screen which may be adjusted to theposition most effective to prevent sparks from flying from. thefireplace and at the same time provide the maximum unobstructed openingfor discharge of heat and for viewing the re;

Third, to provide a fireplace screen which tends to prevent smokedischarge into the room, particularly when the fire is being kindled,this being accomplished by raising the screen a few inches from itsbottom position so thatthe main free air path is below the fire;

Fourth, to provide a fireplace screen which incorporates a novelapparatus for moving the screen, the apparatus being so arranged that nohandling of the screen itself is required, and said apparatus beingparticularly easy to operate so that a woman or child may adjust thescreen without difficulty; y Y.

Fifth, to provide a novel clutch mechanism which automatically assumes alocked position when an operating tool is removed, and whichautomatically unlocks when the operating tool is inserted. A

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear inthe course of the following description. However, the drawing merelyshows and the follow'- ing description merely describes one embodimentof the present invention, which is given by way of illustration orexample only With the above and other objects in viewas may appearhereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawing, inwhich;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my screen shown in its extendedposition. Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectionaly view thereoftaken through 2--2 of Figure 1 and showing by dotted and broken linesvarious adjusted positions of the screen.

Figure 3 is a schematic View illustrating the manner in which thecontrol cables and reels are arranged.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View showing one of theprimary hinge connections between adjacent screen sections guide rods.

and the.

Figure 5 is a similar enlarged fragmentary elevational view Ishowing oneof the secondary hinge connections between adjacent screens.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View of the screen operating reelmechanism with the operating handle shown in position.

Figure 7 is a sectional view thereof through l-l of Figure 6 showing thereel locking mechanism.

Figure 8 is a sectional view thereof through 8 8 of Figure 6 through thereel itself. f y

In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts in theseveral views.

The fire screen is provided with a frame I formed ofchannel-shapedvertical frame members 2 and an upper cross frame member3, likewise channel-shaped. The open sides of the frame members aredirected inwardly toward the area which they dene. vThe frame membersare adapted to be secured to the margins of a ree place opening bysuitable outwardly directed spaced lugs 4. y y .Y

The cross frame member 3 which extends along the upper side of thefireplace opening is provided at its mid portion with a reel housing 5which is, in eifect an enlargement of the frame members. Within the reelhousing 5 are mounted two reels 6 and l. These are arranged in parallelhorizontal axes at right angles to the cross frame member and receivecables 8 and 9 respectively. Each cable is attached to its reel at anintermediate portion of the cable by means of an anchor loop I0, asshown in Figure 6, and is wound so that its two ends extend in oppositedirectionsas shown z Figure 3.

Thev two cables extend along the cross framel member 3 and pass aroundguides I I, then downwardly 4within the vertical frame members 2, wherethey attach to the screen, as will be described hereinafter. y n

A partition plate I2 is provided within the housing which extends acrosstheforward sides of the reels. wardly directed hubs I3 which extendthrough and are journaled by the plate and continue throughcorresponding openings in the front side of the housing. The hubs andreels are provided with sockets I4 of square cross section whichV areadapted to receive a correspondingly shaped end I5 of a crank member I6.y n,

Space is provided between the partition plate and forward side of thehousing for a reel locking mechanism. Each locking mechanism includes apair of dog levers I'I which t in diametrically opposite` slots in thewalls Vof. the hub The reels are provided with for- I3 and are journaledby pins I8. The radially inner ends of the dogs xtend into the socketI4, While their outer ends eXtend radially in front of the partitionplate. A series of radiating grooves I9 are formed in the partitionplate. A spring surrounds the hub and urges the outer ends of the dogsinto engagement with the grooves I9 to secure the hub and reel againstrotation, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6. When, however, the endI5 of the crank I 5 is inserted, the radially inner ends of the dogs areengaged, as shown by soli-d lines in Figure 6, the dogs are held free ofthe grooves and the corresponding reel may be rotated. Thus removal ofthe crank automatically locks the reel in position, While insertion ofthe crank unlocks the reel.

The screen per se, comprises a plurality of screen sections 3l which maybe constructed from Woven screen material oi stamped meshwork. Eachscreen vsection is in the for-m of a rectangular panel extending betweenvtlie vertical frames. The lscreen sections are connected at alternateadjacent edges by guide bars i312, the vertical 'wires -o`f the screensbeing bent around the bars to form hinge loops `33. V'The lends 34 ofthe guide bars -32 extend Abeyond lthe ends of the screen sections andinto fthe vertical frame vmembers.

The remaining sides Vof the screen sections are connected by bands l35which are formed around adjacent horizontal Wires lit of the screensections. In addition, lcoi-l springs Sl are looped around the Wires3`'w`ith .their ends 38 anchored to the screen sections. The coil-springs'urge the screen 'sections V'into folding positions asir-idicated in Figure -2. If desired, the Vbands $5 may Abe eliminatedand the springs only fused.

lThe two ends of cable '8 -are attached to the ends of the lowermostguide bar 32. Similarly, the two ends of 4cable '9 -are attached -to theuppermost guide bar. Thus rotation of reel 6 raises the Alower side ofthe screen, or permits -it to lower by v'gravi-ty; While .rotation ofreel l raises or permits lowering of :the 'upper side of the screen.

As 'shown in AFigure-i2,'trie screen may be lowered all Ior part Way #tothe bottom of `the -ii-replace opening, such -a positionbeing Vindicatedby the broken lines A. Or, -if desired, the 'screen may be raised fromthe bottom' as indicated by broken lines B. Still -further it Vmay beplaced in an intermediate position,as vindicated by broken lines C.

While `I have illustrated and described what I now regard as thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course,subject to'modications'without departing from the spirit and scope of myinvention. lI, therefore, do lnot Wish to 'restrict myself to theparticular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire tolavail myself of 'all modifications which may fall within the scopeofthe appended `claims.

Having' thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secureby -Letters Patent is:

l. 'A fireplace screen comprising: a `plurality of vertically foldingscreen sections; 'hingermeans joining said screen sections and includingguide rods vextending ybeyond the ends cfg-said screen sections;retainers for connection to the vmargins of a fireplace and adapted toys'lida'bly receive said guide rods; vand means in independently'controlling connection with the upper and lower screen sections toIfacilitate folding said screen sections.

2. A fireplace screen comprising: -a pluralityof screen sections; hingesljoining said screen sections, alternate hinges including guide rods eX-tending beyond the ends of said screen sections and the other hingesincluding spring means tending to cause folding of said screen sectionsinto zig-zag form; a mounting frame fitting the margins of a fireplaceopening and including guide channels adapted to receive said guide rods;and folding means incorporated in said mounting frame and includingmeans connected with the corners of the yscreen structure formed by saidscreen sections to facilitate folding either side thereof toward theother.

3. A fireplace screen comprising: a vertically folding screen structurehaving a plurality of horizontally hinged screen sections; verticalguide means at the opposite sides of said screen structure; andsupporting means connected with the side portions of the upper and lowerscreen sections to facilitate folding either the upper or lower portionsof said screen structure toward the other portion.

4. A screen for a 'fireplace 'opening comprising a iframe, -a pluralityof 'screen sections hinged -toge'ther within the `frame, the top:section having i a pivotal axis and ith'e lpor-tion containing suchaxis "being bodily movable downward from the top of the frame, means 'atthe endsof the sections mounted to -move along the sides of the frame,and operative mechanism connected with said means of the upper sectiontolfacilitatem'ovement vertically of the portion :of the upper .sectioncontaining the axis to fold and extend the screen sections.

5. -A screen for a fireplace opening comprising a -f-rame, a plurality`of vertically folding screen sections hinged together, the end sectionshaving pivotal axes and such -axesbeing vbodily movable vertically,means extending beyond the ends thereof and movable *along the sidesofthe framel and operative mechanism connected with said means Vtofacilitate 'movement vertically and independently of each other, lof the-a'xes "off the end sections -for folding and exten-ding the screensections.

6. A screen -for a 'fireplace Y'opening comprising a frame having facingreproof channel members defining an opening'a plurality of screensections hingedtogether within :the frame, the top section having :apivotal axis `and the portion containing such a-Xis being bodilymovable'doW-nward from the top of the frame, means at lthe ends of thesections engaging the channels and movable therealong, and loperative.mechanism connected with 4said means 'of Athe upper section to 'move -itvertically `to facilitate folding and extending Vthe lscreen "sections.

'7. A screen for v4a fireplace opening 'comprising a frame, Yaplural-ity of "screen sections hinged together within the lframe, thetop section V'having a 'pivotal axis -and 'the `portion containing `suchaxis being bodily movable 'downward from the top of the frame, springl'means 'mounted 'on the sections and bodily movable therewith, tendingto move the screen sections into 'folded positions, means at the vendsJof the sections mounted to move'along the sides of the frame andAoperative mechanism connected with said means 'of the upper section tofacilitate movement of 'the .sections to folded and extended positions,saidmechanism including positive brake means to 'maintain the screensections in adjusted positions.

y8. A `screen for 'a fireplace open-ing, comprising "a frame, aplurality of vertically folding screen sections, lmeans at 'the 4ends ofthe sections mounted to move along the sides of the 'fra-me,

portions of said screen and the other with the upper side portionsthereof; independent operating and locking mechanisms forfsaid reel andcable means, whereby the upper and lower sides of said screen may bemoved and'se'cured independently, and reproof means enclosing the cablemeans at the side of the screen.

VERNON R. CRAMER.

